A good friend as soon as requested me, “Are you able to freeze yogurt?” Whether or not it’s Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or yogurt cups, freezing yogurt is a good way to economize and time. Plus we’ll discuss texture modifications and how you can use the yogurt as soon as it’s frozen within the freezer.
Among the finest methods to avoid wasting on groceries is to maintain monitor of grocery costs in your space. When one thing hits its “all-time low value,” purchase extras.
This idea works nice for pantry staples and frozen meals, however what about perishable objects like fruit, greens, and yogurt?
Or what for those who purchased yogurt for the meal plan, and ended up not utilizing it?
Excellent news – you’ll be able to freeze yogurt! Let me present you ways simple it’s to reap the benefits of these rock-bottom costs and get monetary savings on actual meals.
Are you able to freeze yogurt?
Clearly, the reply is sure, however there are a few issues to think about before you purchase all of the tubs and stick them in your freezer.
You possibly can freeze Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, fat-free yogurt, natural yogurt, yogurt cups, squeeze tubes of yogurt… even plain or flavored or swirled with fruit – you’ll be able to completely freeze all varieties of yogurt.
Should you discover an awesome deal on complete milk, you’ll be able to refill, make do-it-yourself yogurt or Greek-style yogurt, and freeze that too!
Yogurt could be frozen for as much as two months. Technically, it’s fit for human consumption for fairly some time after that, however freezer burn can set in and the feel and style can actually decline after the two-month mark. Should you plan on consuming the yogurt with a spoon, purpose to devour your yogurt inside 30 days.
Learn on for how you can freeze yogurt, the easiest way to thaw yogurt, and how you can use yogurt after it was frozen.
Earlier than You Freeze Yogurt
The feel of yogurt after it has been frozen and thawed can be completely different than a freshly opened tub of yogurt. After thawing, frozen yogurt can be much less easy and a bit grainier. That is much less noticeable while you freeze it in smaller parts. It may be lessened much more for those who stir the yogurt earlier than you freeze it.
Should you plan on utilizing the yogurt to make smoothies or for baking, there’s no have to stir it earlier than you freeze. Nevertheless, I’d advocate freezing in parts that you’d sometimes use in smoothies or baked meals (i.e. ¼ cup or ½ cup).
5 Methods to Freeze Yogurt
There are a number of methods to freeze yogurt. You’ll wish to select a way that traces up with the way you’ll eat the yogurt after it’s thawed.
In Its Authentic Bundle
All varieties of yogurt can go straight out of your grocery bag to the freezer with out having to do any further work. Nevertheless, freezing a Costco-sized tub of yogurt takes up a variety of freezer area and it’s not ultimate for pulling out single servings.
This methodology works finest with plain, small, single-size yogurts.
Keep in mind that yogurt will broaden because it freezes. I counsel placing particular person containers of yogurt in a freezer bag, simply in case a seal breaks.
In a Re-usable Container
This methodology is finest for dividing bulk parts of yogurt into smaller freezer-safe and hermetic containers (like this 12-pack from Amazon). You possibly can portion out precisely how a lot you need. Be sure that to depart a little bit room for the yogurt to broaden because it freezes.
This methodology can be finest for “fruit on the backside” yogurts, or when the fruit is layered into the yogurt. Stirring the yogurt to distribute the fruit earlier than freezing means the yogurt will freeze evenly and the flavors can be evenly distributed when the yogurt is thawed.
In an Ice Dice Tray
Freezing yogurt in ice dice trays is a superb choice for those who plan on making smoothies together with your yogurt cubes. Merely scoop the yogurt into every cup within the ice dice tray and gently faucet the tray to take away any air bubbles. Settle the yogurt so it freezes evenly. (You can even use this silicone mildew that comes with a lid.)
Place the ice dice tray within the freezer for a number of hours till the yogurt is stable. Take away the frozen yogurt from the tray and switch to a freezer-safe container.
In Reusable Silicone Sleeves or Single-Use Plastic Tubes
This methodology is superb if your loved ones likes Go-Gurts, because it’s a deal with with lots much less sugar and components than the store-bought model. You should purchase a set of reusable silicone sleeves (like this set the place the lid is hooked up to the tube). Then fill them with yogurt (leaving only a smidge of room for growth), and freeze them for a enjoyable snack afterward.
In case your youngsters are specific about containers, these single-use plastic tubes are see-through and it additionally features a funnel.
In Scoops
That is my most well-liked methodology to freeze yogurt. I have a tendency to purchase larger tubs of Greek yogurt. It doesn’t require any instruments or devices that I don’t have already got.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then utilizing an ice cream scoop (like this set that has a set off to launch the news), portion the yogurt onto the parchment paper leaving an inch or two between every scoop. Freeze the yogurt for 6-8 hours after which take away them to a freezer container for longer storage.
You possibly can even use a specific measuring cup – say a ¼ cup – so you already know exactly how a lot yogurt is in every portion. Label your freezer container with this measurement, and also you’ll save time later for those who bake with the yogurt as a result of it’ll be one much less factor to measure.
Find out how to Thaw Frozen Yogurt
The perfect methodology to thaw yogurt from the freezer is to place it in a shallow bowl, within the fridge the evening earlier than you propose to make use of it. The bowl will gather any moisture because the yogurt thaws, and the fridge will preserve the yogurt cool. Thawing at room temperature isn’t suggested.
Freezing Yogurt vs. Frozen Yogurt vs. Freeze-dried Yogurt
Though these would possibly sound interchangeable, freezing yogurt isn’t the identical as frozen yogurt or freeze-dried yogurt.
- Frozen yogurt is a dessert just like ice cream. Besides its foremost ingredient is yogurt instead of milk and/or cream.
- Freeze-dried yogurt is when all of the moisture has been faraway from the yogurt. Suppose the yogurt melts you see toddlers consuming with their arms.
- Freezing yogurt is the strategy we’ve talked about on this publish.
FAQs About Yogurt
No matter which methodology you select to freeze yogurt – in its personal container, a brand new reusable container, an ice dice tray, in single-serving sleeves, or in scoops – you’ll be able to preserve yogurt within the freezer for as much as two months.
You can even freeze yogurt that’s previous its expiration date, however you’ll want to devour it instantly after thawing.
In case your plan is to eat the yogurt with a spoon, purpose for not more than 30 days within the freezer.
We’ve examined the strategies above with each common and Greek yogurt, they usually all work nice. I believed Greek yogurt froze higher than common yogurt as a result of it’s thicker and accommodates much less liquid.
Yogurt is a dairy product, and like most dairy merchandise, the solids will separate a bit after thawing. Yogurt might also style a bit extra tart after it’s been frozen.
Thawed yogurt may also have a grainy or watery texture as soon as it’s thawed. You possibly can keep away from a few of this by stirring the yogurt earlier than you freeze it, freezing it in smaller batches, and selecting to freeze Greek yogurt as a substitute of standard yogurt.
Even when the creamy texture is completely different, it’s nice to eat yogurt after freezing and thawing. Should you aren’t a fan of the feel, simply use it in baking recipes or in a smoothie!
No, the well being advantages of excellent micro organism in yogurt will not be destroyed within the freezing course of. They’re, nevertheless, destroyed when yogurt is heated.
Methods to Use Frozen Yogurt
If I’m not consuming the yogurt by the spoon, smoothies and baked items are my go-to for utilizing yogurt after freezing. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie and Easy Inexperienced Smoothies are household favorites and neither require the yogurt to be thawed beforehand. Simply pop the yogurt ice cubes into the blender and hit mix.
Baked recipes don’t want the feel of yogurt to be good, so that they’re good for utilizing frozen yogurt. Applesauce Muffins and Leftover Oatmeal Chocolate Cake are two of our household favorites. Pancakes and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins are additionally good choices. Only a fast stir earlier than utilizing the yogurt and also you’re good to go.
I really like utilizing thawed yogurt in foremost dishes, just like the sauce in Rooster and Spinach Enchiladas, or the bottom of Sluggish Cooker Beef Stroganoff.
Thawed yogurt can be utilized in salad dressings, facet dishes, and marinades. It can be stirred and re-frozen into yogurt popsicles!
Extra Freezing Tutorials
Watch Find out how to Freeze Yogurt
Freezer Cooking: Breakfasts
Signal as much as get on the spot entry to my Freezer Cooking: Breakfasts Plan, full with recipes, provide record, and purchasing record!
